Anna Chang class of 2008 Cornell University

"I would also like to say something about how the Endeavour Academy has helped me to get where I am right now. High school is supposed to prepare students for the real world, whether it is right into the job market or at college. The only classes that actually thoroughly prepared me for college were the ones taught by Mr. Kliewer though the Endeavour Academy. The skills that I learned from the Endeavour Academy have been directly applicable in my engineering classes. No other class offered by PRHS will give a hands-on experience of project teams. No other class offered by PRHS will teach leadership and team building skills. In no other class offered by PRHS can you practice presenting to a professional audience. I am currently a sophomore in the School of Applied and Engineering Physics at Cornell University, and I firmly believe it was the Endeavour Academy that helped me stand out in the vast pool of applicants. Paso Robles Unified School District can not afford to lose such a program without vast consequences. Best, Anna Chang"

David Hood class of 2008 Hope University

"I just want to say that it was directly because of Mr. Kliewer that I am pursuing a career in particle physics. He believed in me 100% of the way. Even when I failed he picked me up again. I owe a great deal to this man as a student."

Elaine Silver class of 2006 Columbia University

"The Endeavour Academy was not only a fun class, but it also prepared me for my future college career."

Melanie Silver class of 2006 Columbia University

"I have learned more in this class than in all my other classes combined"

Pedro Flores class of 2006 CalPoly State University

"I have no doubt that my involvement in Endeavour impressed the admissions office and [smoothed] my way into CalPoly.

Matt Gustafson class of 2007 CalPoly State University

"This class has been very beneficial to me. I have learned so many useful things that will help me excel in life.

C.J. McDougal class of 2006 Institute of Computer Programming

"This course has given me hope for the future. It has given me a reason to strive. I am going to college next year, and without this course, I would probably never have thought past high school."

Jim Gustafson Parent

"I have had significant background in the electronics industry and years working overseas with third-world kids. My son Matthew is in his fourth year at Cal Poly and counts the Endeavor Academy as the most important time spent at Paso High. My point is that the academic preparation was obviously very significant, but also the social interaction with Steve Kliewer and his classmates made this class most significant. This time was so memorable that it is the standard to which he measures all other educational experiences. Cal Poly has provided some hands on, but nothing compared to what he got in the Endeavour Academy. In fact, he wants to move to another institution with better "Endeavour-like" instruction. Let me know what I can do. Best Regards, Jim Gustafson"

Claire and Lance Silver Parents and local business

"Our two daughters graduated Paso High in 2006. Our daughter, Elaine Silver, was Valedictorian and her twin sister, Melanie Silver, was off just one grade from that highest honor. They both were accepted to Columbia University, majoring in Environmental Engineering and Civil Engineering/Architecture respectively. My husband and I are so very proud of our daughters and their accomplishments. We know that the genuine interest and challenges put forth by their instructor, Steve Kliewer, led them to their engineering majors and their goals. The camaraderie of the hands-on teams and the significance of their many projects and presentations served them well to get them to take the next big leap to engineering majors in the Ivy League. We are proudly attending their graduations this May. Over the years, we have witnessed many students blossom through Steve Kliewer's teaching and the Endeavour Academy program's challenges. Our family supports Endeavour whole heartedly, hosting their big Balloonfest every year in May at our winery, Tobin James. We find it hard to believe that future PRHS students may not get that same important experience and opportunity for growth. My husband and I urge you to do all you can to further our students' education in science and math. Making sure that the Endeavour Academy Plan B is adopted and promoted is a step in the right direction. All students deserve to have the opportunity to learn and grow through this important program. We all know too well the challenges our country and planet are experiencing and we need the next generation of scientists to keep addressing these challenges. Let's keep Paso Robles High School contributing to the future pool of these scientists. Thank you for your time and dedication to our children. Sincerely, Claire and Lance Silver"

Brent Edelman class of 2009 MIT

"Engineering Design has been an interesting class that has given me new horizons on engineering. The skills I have learned throughout the year will carry on throughout college and into my career. From WAM to Family Science Night to Balloon Fest, I have learned many valuable things that I couldn't have learned from another class. The Endeavour academy has taught many skills such as team work, communication, and documentation as well as being innovative and imaginative. My leadership skills have certainly been tested and improved as a result of being in the class. I have come away from engineering design a better student, a better scientist, and a better engineer. I still will take away many great skills and experiences from my participation in Engineering Design. After high school, I will be off to MIT where I will most likely study Aerospace or Nuclear Engineering with a possible double major or minor in management or economics. Engineering Design will be especially helpful for this because it combines engineering with real life marketing and management skills. I will be sure to use the skills I have learned to be successful in my career and successful at MIT."

Valerie Lloyd class of 2010

"I have learned the process of how to think like an engineer. From this class, I have learned that I really want to major in engineering and probably more specifically, environmental engineering. My ultimate dream would be working as somebody who designs, or improves on designs of more efficient, and cleaner sources of energy such as solar panels, fuel cells, water turbines, etc. I have learned so much in the Endeavour Academy, and in the Design class and I know there is still a lot more I can learn, but I still feel like a different, more intelligent person with a new way of thinking and problem solving."

Sara Mason class of 2010

"The Endeavour Academy might seem to be a diabolical combination of the two most abyssal subjects in school: math and science. However, these classes are really a neat way of learning how to cope in an occupational atmosphere. This year in the Engineering Design class, I studied many topics in this class, many of which cannot be studied anywhere else. Each topic and their respective application has been taught in a way that the knowledge can be used here and now, as opposed to other classes, where the question "when will I use this in real life?" constantly echoes around inside the pupils' craniums. This class, teaching its topics in such a hands-on way, shall help me in future careers, not just because of the knowledge I gained, but also in the way the class taught me to think in ways an engineer might, such as cooperation and teamwork, the deadline factor (horror of horrors), and how to improvise.

Dennis Eamon Young Local businessman

"It has been my good fortune to know Steve Kliewer, as well as get to know you, through my ongoing photographic documentation of the Endeavour program in Paso Robles. It must be stated that I do not engage in said photography as part of my professional business, but rather on a pro bono basis. However, that having been said, I believe that I have been absolutely enriched by the process of getting acquainted with Steve and his students in their endeavors. As an American, as a Veteran, as a parent, and as a human being I have found renewed hope for our shared future in watching these young people being encouraged and challenged to spend many hours of their own time and having their energies positively engaged. Our nation shamelessly cuts programs for the sciences and arts on a fairly consistent basis. Programs such as Endeavour are the best bets for our future. This is where I would wish to see my tax dollars, and/or grant dollars go. I look forward to documenting a host of other such projects in coming years and to observing such a truly dedicated teacher as Steve Kliewer in action. The man and his students are a prime example of what is inspiring in and for our country today. My thanks to you all, keep up the good work. Dennis Eamon Young Dennis Eamon Young Photo"

Joe Manildi Teacher & colleague

"I am sorry to hear Endeavor is ending! A sad day for education. Keep in touch, I think that your project-based approach is far more valuable than the standard classroom experience for students, and your expertise and dedication are unmatched!"

Jerry Hill Colleague and science consultant

"Dear Dr. Crocker, My name is Jerry Hill. I am just short of 70 years old, so have been around for a while. I am Senior Science Advisor for a small company, which provides integrated Web-based applications to government and commercial customers, and am currently writing proposals to expand our company's business in areas of our core capability. Below, I First provide my background and qualifications, followed by the reason for this email. Since my formal retirement from Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in 1999 - and in between consulting assignments at Boeing, ITT, Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon and Quintron Systems (a local Santa Maria based communications company) - I have taught from time to time at Paso Robles High School, primarily filling in for Mr. Steve Kliewer and some other outstanding teachers of Math, Science, Computer Science and English (Yes English, without which knowledge in these subjects cannot be adequatly communicated and applied). For the last 10 years prior to my "official" retirement in 1999, I managed two major NASA/JPL contracts, while a Program Manager for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). During this time I was directly involved with integrated development teams supporting exploration vehicles gathering data from Jupiter (Galileo) and Saturn (Cassini), in addition to providing downlink telemetry and uplink commanding for those programs and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites such as Topex Poseidon and Jason (the purpose of which was to gather oceanic topography data to predict weather patterns such as el Nino). Prior to that, I was Ground Support System (GSS) Manager for the ultimately cancelled Space Shuttle program for polar launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, and either Architect or Project Manager for a host of ground telemetry systems installed at Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), Edwards AFB, Pax River Naval Air Station (NAS), MD. and Pt. Mugu NAS, in addition to mobile Army weapons procurement systems for Ft. Hunter Liggett, CA, Ft. Hood, TX and other Army bases providing procurement data for weapons systems such as Longbow-Apache, the first acquisition supported by these Army systems. I believe, and would hope you agree, this background in real-world Science applications qualifies me to judge the adequacy of classroom instruction in the public or private school system. With that background, I continue this email to address the imminent dismissal of one Mr. Steve Kliewer (use the German pronunciation of "Cleaver") from The Paso Robles school system. Though I am not a teacher by profession, I was a computer systems instructor in the Air Force, and have had hands on experience in the public school system, teaching Summer School Science and Computer Science classes and in substituting for Mr. Kliewer, sometimes for up to three weeks at a time when he was observing Science-related events such as a total Eclipse of the Sun in the Mediterranean some years ago. During his absence, I led Mr. Kliewer's classes in observing and learning from a delayed playback of this event. Though I am not a great teacher, I am more than competent to know one when I see one, and Mr. Kliewer is the best I have ever seen at what he does. His having been awarded "Teacher of the Year" for 2008, demonstrates that some others in the Paso Robles school system clearly agree with Mr. Kliewer's being the "best" at what he does. Mr. Kliewer was, and is, not only preparing, but just as importantly, motivating these students for the world I have worked in since 1963, and to which they will, and do, contribute subsequent to graduation, since almost all go on to college. Without this quality instruction from someone who both knows Science and understands its application, far fewer of these students will be prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly advancing technology, which doubles our knowledge and capability in a very short time span; in some areas, such as computer technology, demonstrably as short as every 18 months. Few educators understand both the scientific concepts and their application as does Mr. Kliewer. With our country - and state of California, the world's 6th largest economy - falling further behind in Science and Math, this is not the right time to cut back on teachers such as Mr. Kliewer. In fact, there is never a right time for such an irresponsible act. I find it hard to believe that there are not "administrative" positions that are less critical than the position filled by such teachers. In closing I would urge you review what Physicist Dr. Richard Feynman, a giant in Scientific methods and Nobel Laureate, had to say about the California public school system - at one point using the word "idiotic" in regard to administrative process in textbook selection. I have no doubt that he would not find favor with such administrative decisions as those applied in the dismissal of Mr. Steve Kliewer. Thank you. Jerry Hill Phone: 805.462.8954 Fax: 805.462.8957"